Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Broad-tailed Hummingbird vs Calliope Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Broad-tailed Hummingbird vs Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus vs Selasphorus calliope): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The two mountain hummingbirds of the Rockies. Three rules:
- Size: normal hummingbird = Broad-tailed; unbelievably tiny = Calliope.
- Male gorget: solid rose-magenta = Broad-tailed; magenta streaks fanning like rays = Calliope.
- Wing sound: a loud metallic trill = Broad-tailed male; no whistle = Calliope.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The whistling mountain hummer and the tiny one, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Calliope Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selasphorus platycercus | Selasphorus calliope |
| Length KEY | 4.3 in (11 cm) | 3.25 in (8 cm) |
| Wingspan | 5.3 in (13 cm) | 4.3 in (11 cm) |
| Weight | 0.1–0.15 oz (3–4 g) | 0.1 oz (2–3 g) |
| Overall Shape | A Rocky Mountain hummingbird with a broad tail and a whistling wing-trill | The smallest bird in the United States — tiny, short-tailed, short-billed |
| Male Plumage KEY | Iridescent rose-magenta throat, green back, white chest, rufous-washed sides; broad tail | Green above with a gorget of magenta streaks fanning into rays on a white throat |
| Female Plumage | Green above, white below with rufous flanks and a spotted throat; tail tips white | Green above, buffy flanks, white-tipped tail |
| Bill Shape | Long, straight, black | Short, straight, black |
| Tail | Broad, rufous-based in the male — and it whistles in flight | Short — wingtips reach past the tail at rest |
| Core Range KEY | Breeds in the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin; winters in Mexico | Breeds in western mountains; winters in Mexico |
| Migration | Long-distance migrant — the classic hummingbird of mountain meadows | Long-distance migrant despite its size |
| Feeder Presence | Sugar-water feeders all summer at mountain homes; red penstemon and scarlet gilia | Visits mountain feeders; easily bullied by larger hummingbirds |
| Favorite Foods | Nectar and tiny insects | Nectar and tiny insects |
| Song KEY | No true song; the male’s wings produce a loud metallic trill in flight | High-pitched buzzing notes in display |
| Flight Call | Sharp “chit” notes | A high, thin “chip” |
| Population Trend | Stable; returns to the same mountain meadows each May | Stable in mountain meadows |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Broad-tailed Hummingbird — Male
Selasphorus platycercus
- Rose-magenta throat, rufous-washed sides.
- Wings whistle a metallic trill in flight — unmistakable.
- The hummingbird of Rocky Mountain meadows.
Calliope Hummingbird — Male
Selasphorus calliope
- Tiny — the smallest U.S. bird.
- Gorget of magenta streaks fanning like rays.
- Short tail, short bill, big attitude.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Broad-tailed Hummingbird — Female
Selasphorus platycercus
- Green and white with rufous flanks and white tail tips.
- Builds a lichen-covered cup on a pine or spruce branch.
- Arrives with the first mountain wildflowers.
Calliope Hummingbird — Female
Selasphorus calliope
- Green with buffy flanks; very small.
- Nests in mountain conifers, often on pine cones.
- Bullied at feeders by bigger hummingbirds.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Broad-tailed Hummingbird | Calliope Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4.3 in | 3.25 in — smallest bird in the U.S. |
| Male Gorget | Solid rose-magenta | Magenta streaks arranged in rays on white |
| Wing Sound | Loud metallic trill in flight | Quiet wings; buzzy display notes |
| Tail | Broad, rufous at base | Very short — wingtips pass it at rest |
| Female Flanks | Rufous-washed | Buffy-washed, smaller and shorter-tailed |
| Nest | Lichen cup on a branch | Often built on a pine cone |
| Feeder Status | Holds its own | Bullied by every larger hummingbird |
Song & Call Comparison
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Wing sound: the male’s wings produce a loud, metallic trilling whistle in flight.
Calls: sharp chit notes. (no open recording available)
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
Calls: a high, thin chip; buzzing notes in the dive display.
Display: U-shaped dives over mountain meadows.
Calliope Hummingbird voice • Wikimedia Commons
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird breeds through the Rockies and Great Basin high country, wintering in Mexico.
The Calliope Hummingbird breeds in mountains from Montana to California, migrating through the Southwest to Mexico. Both share mountain meadows all summer — size alone separates them at ten feet.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird: the classic mountain feeder bird, 4:1 sugar water.
- Calliope Hummingbird: uses feeders too — a second feeder hidden from the dominant bird gives it a chance.
- Frost care: mountain nights freeze feeders — bring them in or use a warmer.
- Flowers: scarlet gilia, penstemon and columbine serve both.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Broad-taileds are bold and showy — males trill and dive over meadows, guarding flowers and feeders.
Calliopes are featherweight boxers — tiny but willing to challenge birds twice their size, then sneak back when the coast is clear.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Size. Normal = Broad-tailed; tiny = Calliope.
- Male gorget. Solid = Broad-tailed; streaked rays = Calliope.
- Wing sound. Metallic trill = Broad-tailed.
- Tail. Broad = Broad-tailed; very short = Calliope.
- Female tail. Longer, rufous base = Broad-tailed; stubby = Calliope.
- Pecking order. The one being chased = often the Calliope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a Broad-tailed from a Calliope Hummingbird?
Size first — the Calliope is the smallest bird in the U.S. Male Broad-taileds have a solid rose-magenta gorget and loudly whistling wings; male Calliopes have magenta streaks in rays and quiet wings.
Which hummingbird has whistling wings?
The male Broad-tailed — specialized outer wing feathers produce a metallic trill heard across a mountain meadow.
How small is a Calliope Hummingbird?
About 3.25 inches and under a tenth of an ounce — roughly the weight of a penny. It is the smallest bird in the United States.
Why does the Calliope get chased from feeders?
It is the smallest bird at any feeder — every other hummingbird species outranks it. A second feeder out of sight of the first solves the problem.
Do Calliopes really nest on pine cones?
Yes — the female often builds her walnut-sized cup on top of a pine cone or under a branch, camouflaged with lichens.
When do these hummingbirds arrive in the mountains?
Both arrive with the first mountain flowers in May; Broad-taileds are often the first hummingbird of the season in the central Rockies.
Key Takeaways
- Size: Tiny = Calliope; normal = Broad-tailed.
- Gorget: Streaked rays = Calliope; solid magenta = Broad-tailed.
- Wings: Whistling = Broad-tailed male.
- Tail: Very short = Calliope; broad = Broad-tailed.
- Nest: Pine cone = Calliope.
- Feeders: Two feeders, out of sight of each other, help both.